Moore’s last play try snatches draw for Fax in Cumbria

Published:20:20Saturday 11 June 2016

Share this article

An under-par Halifax were grateful for a 12-12 draw on a torrid night at Whitehaven, half back Gareth Moore scoring with seconds remaining to keep their four Championship ambitions alive on the Cumbrian coast.

On an error-strewn night, Richard Marshall’s side began well, but rarely threatened to throw off the attention of a hugely energetic and physical Whitehaven team, who seemed to grow stronger as the game went on.

And the visitors were heading for defeat at 12-6 until Moore dummied through on the left and centre Steve Tyrer landed a high pressure conversion to level the scores.

Neither side gave any quarter during the opening minutes, but Halifax dominated territorially for 10 minutes before Haven finally forced themselves into an attacking position.

That ended with visiting centre Ben Heaton intercepting and racing away down the right, only to be rounded up by the defence.

Halifax had another chance soon after, Adam Tangata and Steve Tyrer putting Will Sharp away, but the cover converged as the winger headed down centre field.

In an increasingly scrappy contest, that was it as far as scoring chances went for either side until Ed Chamberlain touched down for Whitehaven on the left, slipping into a gap vacated by Gareth Moore, who had gambled on going for another interception.

Louis Jouffret put the conversion wide, but that touchdown fired up the hosts, who dominated the final 10 minutes of the half.

Halifax would have been grateful, in the circumstances, that the only other score was a last minute penalty from Jouffret that put Haven 6-0 ahead at the break.

The second half commenced in the same vein though, and Whitehaven went further ahead when some slick passing - and flat footed defending - opened the door for Connor Holliday to stroll through untouched on the right.

Jouffret kicked the conversion from the sideline for a 12-0 lead, but the full back was less skilled at the other end, spilling Gareth Moore’s high kick.

The visitors made the most of the chance, Murrell kicking to the left where Sharp caught the ball in acres of space to score.

Tyrer added the sideline conversion for a 12-6 scoreline and Haven had a let off soon after Jouffret floundered again under another kick.

Haven almost scored again when Grant Gore raced clear, but Miles Greenwood rounded him up 10 metres before the line.

Halifax spent most of the last 10 minutes on the attack, but with the ball ending up on the floor with regularity and the defence holding firm, they were heading for defeat until Moore finally split the line.